Improvement in dress-protectors



2 Sheets--Sheet 1.V U. P. FLYN T.

Dress-Protectors. N0. 156,018. Patented Oct. 20,1874` 'ms Gaume cufnmoufmasa 4| PARK PLAc, NLY.

2 Sheets-"Sheet 2. 0. P. FLYNT.

Dress-Protectors. N0. 156,018. Patented Oct. 20,1874.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEc OLIVIA P. FLYNT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN DRESS-PROTECTORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 156,018, dated October 20, 1874; application filed February 16, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVIA I. FLYNT, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and valuable article of apparel for ladies and childrens wear, which I term a Dust and Weather Protector 5 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention is intended to take the place of the ordinary water-proof, so called, the advantage being that, while the water-proof but very imperfectly protects the outside of the dress, this device protects not only the outside, but the inside, of the dress, besides covering and shielding completely skirts, drawers, stockings, in fact, every thing which the lady or child is wearing. It is also well adapted for a protector from dust in the summer weather, especially' in traveling. Its outward appearance is not ungraceful, and it closely resembles, when worn, the water-proof in common use when made for a weather-protector.

The nature of my invention, in detail, is fully described below. It will be spoken' ot', primarily, as a protector from wet and muddy weather, and afterward as a summer or traveling garment.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical section of my protector in the position assumed when in actual use. The skirt of the dress is shown also in section. Fig. 2 is a plan of the inside when unbuttoned and spread open. Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the garment with the coverings for the legs removed. Fig. 4 is a front view, showing the garment in the act of being put on. Fig. 5 is a side view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

a a represent a covering for the legs. These are worn over the drawers, and are supported by straps, d, one in front and one behind, which depend from the buttons upon the band e of the drawers. a represents the covering as it would be manufactured for ladies and childrens use, butt-oued at c, and fitting, or partially fitting, the form. a is fuller, has no opening to be buttoned together, and is intended to be a cheaper article. Both are strapped down by straps b, and iit over the shoes after the manner of over-gaiters.

The leg-coverings a a may be made of repellant light rubber-cloth, or of any other material; or they may be made of rubber fabric from the knees down, and of woolen fabricv above.

g is a lining, situated inside or under the dress m, made of any water-proof material, and supported by buttons f upon the band ot' the covering a a. The buttons h, fasten it in front as it en velops the limbs. This lining g is attached at the bottom to an over-garment, k, which protect-s the outside of the dress on. This garment 7c, including the hood k', is made of tWo pieces, a seam running down through the center, and could be made in one piece if suitable material could be found of suiicient width. r

It will be seen, by reference to Figs. 1, 4, and 5, that the dress m hangs between the outer garment k and the lining g without being caught up or disturbed in any manner. Other skirts may occupy the same place without any diiculty.

. It will thus be understood that the entire clothing is perfectly protected from falling rain and snow, and from water or mud spattered up from the ground.

Various alterations and changes readily suggest themselves, such as lining the coverings of the legs a a', in order to insure greater warmth, foxing the lower or gaiter portions for purposes of strength and durability, mak! ing the garment entirely of woolen cloth, and with or without a belt, &c., none, however, altering materially the nature of the invention.

Of course I do not confine myself to buttoning the straps d to the drawers, but propose to attach them to, or suspend them from, anyconveniently-located under-garment.

Thelining can be easily made independently of the outer garment 7c, and may be attached to au ordinary water-proof, or, if the underclothes only are to be protected, to any walking-dress skirt without being noticeable.

When the garment 7c is worn merely as an ordinary water-proof is now worn, without protecting the under side of the dress, the lining g may be held in place by being buttoned over the inside buttons s. (See Figs'. 2 and 3.)

The summer traveling-garment or dust-proteetor is made in substantially the same Inanner as that above described, excepting tha t the material is linen7 01` some other suitably light and cool fabric.

The garment is easily put on and adjusted, and the dress falls naturally in place Without any trouble Whatever.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent7 is-` The combination of thevouter garmentk k', having the lining g and the buttons s attached, with the leg-covering et, having buttons f attached to support the lining y, and having an opening, c, and strap b, so as to t over the shoes7 all arranged and constructed substantially as above described.

OLIVIA P. FLYNT.

Witnesses:

HENRY W. WILLIAMS, E. H. OBER. 

